Simulated putting hole



April 16, 1957 LUSK 2,788,977

SIMULATED PUTTING HOLE;

Filed June 3, 1954 I Jose h am m ATTCI RN EYS 4 fa Jo lNVENT R.

United States This invention relates to a game, and more particularly toa trap for a game.

The object of the invention is to provide a trap for a game which isadapted to have balls such as golf balls directed at it by persons usinggolf clubs or the like whereby when the balls are directed to the trapwith 6 sufficient accurac, the balls will enter the trap, and whereinwhen the balls deviate from a predetermined path, the balls will reboundfrom the trap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game trap which can beplayed by a plurality of players or persons and wherein regulation golfballs or other pellets or balls can be used, the game trap receiving theballs when the balls are propelled with accuracy and wherein the ballswill bounce back from the trap if the balls en- Counter the bumpers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game trap which isextremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the game trap, constructed accordingto the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4- is a front elevational view showing a modified door. 7

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through one ofthe legs and showing a pointed member engaging the leg for projectioninto the ground as when the game is being used outdoors.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the assembly ofFigure 5.

igure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one of the legsshowing a modified bumper.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away andin section, showing another modified bumper.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a still furthermodified bumper.

Figure ll is a fragmentary sectional view showing another modifiedbumper.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Figure 9.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a basewhich is horizontally disposed, and the base 16 is provided with acentral circular opening 11, Figure 1. The outer periphery of the base10 is provided with a plurality of flat faces 13 which are arrangedangularly with respect to each other, and the base 10 atent also has aplurality of cutouts 12, the cutouts 12 being arranged at the innersection of the flat faces 13.

For supporting the base 19, there is provided a plurality of verticallydisposed spaced parallel legs 14. Each of the legs 14 has its upper endseated in one of the cutouts 12, and the leg 14 can be secured to thebase 10 in any suitsole manner, as for example by the use of anadhesive. The lower end of each of the legs 14 is flat as at 15 so as toprovide a sturdy support for the base 10 when the base is being usedindoors as for example in a. home or house or the like.

means is provided for firmly anchoring the game rap in the ground 19,Figures 5 and 6, as when the game is to be used outdoors. Thus, it willbe seen that the rear portion of each of the legs 14 adjacent the bottomthereof, is provided with a dovetail recess or groove 16. A groundengaging prong or pointed member 18 has a tongue 17 detachably seated ineach of the recesses 16.

Thus, when the game is to be used indoors, the prongs 18 can be removedso that the fiat lower surfaces 15 support the trap. However, when thegame is to be used outdoors, the pointed members 18 can be attached tothe bottom of the legs 14 so that the pointed members 13 will stick intothe ground 19 and prevent accidental movement of the trap.

Arranged directly in front of each of the legs 14 and spaced therefromis a finger The upper ends of the fingers 2d are secured to the upperends of the legs 14 in any suitable manner, as for example by means ofglue or the like. A resilient bumper is mounted on the lower outer endsof each of the fingers 21). The bumper may include an inner core 21 ofrigid material, and surrounding the core 21 is a semi-spherical outercasing or bumper 22. As shown in Figure 8 and in Figure 7, the bumperright be slightly modified so that the inner core 23 is rectangularinstead of being semi-spherical in shape as is the core 21. Similarly,as shown in Figures 7 and 8 the outer resilient part 24 of the bumpermay be rec: tangular in cross section rather than arcuate in crosssection.

The game trap of the present invention further ins cludes a plurality ofdoors 27 which are swingably mounted, and for swingably or pivotallymounting the doors 27, hinge members 25 are secured to the base 10. Eachof the hinge members 25 includes a groove 26, and a dowel pin 2% issecured to the upper end of the door 27 for engagement with the groove26. Thus, the dowel pins 29 provide a swinging support or pivotalsupport for the doors 27. Each of the doors 27 may be further providedwith markings or indicia 28 on its outer surface so as to simulate orrepresent a target or the like. It is to be further noted that the lowerend of each of the doors 27 is of greater thickness than the upper endthereof, Figure 3, so that the doors 27 will have a tendency to hangvertically due to gravity. However, when a ball such as a golf ball ispropelled with sufiicient accuracy to strike the door 27, the door 27will swing inwardly to permit the door to move sufliciently so that theball can enter the inside of the trap 10. The balls can be retrievedfrom the inside of the trap by inserting the hand down through theopening 11. A means is provided for preventing the doors 2'? fromswinging outwardly so that the balls will not pass all the way throughthe trap. This means comprises lugs 39 which are formed integral with orsecured to the sides of the doors 27, and the lugs 30 will engage theinner surfaces of the legs 14 so as to prevent outward pivotal movementof the doors. However, there will be no interference with the inwardswinging movement of the doors 27.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is shown a modified door 31which is adapted to be used in lieu of the door 27. Each of the doors 31may have the same construction and each includes a body portion that isprovided with arcuate cutouts 32 and secured to the upper end of thedoor 31 is a dowel pin 33 which is adapted to pivotally engage thegroove 26 in the hinge members 25. Lugs 34- extend outwardly from t edoor 31 for preventing outward swinging movement of the door, and thedoor 31 may have indicia or markings 35 thereon indicating or simulatinga target.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a trapfor a game. In use, balls such as golf balls or other pellets aredirected towards trap either by hand or by means of a suitable club, andif the balls are directed with sufiicient accuracy to strike the doors27 or the doors 33, the doors will swing inwardly to permit the balls toenter the interior of the trap it). if the balls are not propelled withthis degree of accuracy, the balls may strike the bumpers 22 or thebumpers 24 if the bumpers 24 are being used and these rubber bumperswill cause the balls to rebound so that subsequent etforts can be madeto cause the balls to enter the interior of the trap. The game can beused either inside a dwelling or out of doors as shown in Figures and 6,and any suitable scoring system can be used with the game. The outercasing 22 can be made of any suitable material such as sponge rubber,while the core 21 can be made-or" wood, plastic or any other material.Also, the bumper 22 may have a graduated thickness from the top of thebumper to the center of the bumper so as to compensate for the greaterimpact the center of the bumper. The base 1o may have eight of the flatfaces 13, and the upright posts or legs 2 are secured in the, cutouts 12at the apex of the fiat faces 13. The tips 18 can be detached whendesired, and the slots 26 permit the doors 27 to be removed and replacedwhen desired. The lugs on the doors permit the doors to open inwardlyonly and the game of the present invention incorporates some of thefeatures of both golf and croquet. Thus, any desired number of playerscan play the game and different colored balls can be used. Thus, eachplayer can take a difierent colored ball and the balls may be regulationgolf balls or other types of balls. Clubs such as golf clubs or cheaperclubs can be also utilized. If the ball is struck and does not passthrough one of the doors into the trap, the ball will strike the bumperso that the ball will rebound in a different direction from which it wasstruck or hit so that the player will be given another strike from adifferent angle. Instead of using sponge rubber bumpers, the bumpers maybe made of plastic.

Referring to Figures 9 and 12 of the drawings, there is shown anothermodification wherein the leg is indicated generally by the numeral as.The leg 35 includes an inclined surface 3'7, and arranged directly infront of each leg 36 is a finger which is secured thereto. Secured tothe lower end or" the linger as is a core 38 which may have a yieldablecasing 39 secured thereto. The casing 39 may be made of sponge or gumrubber.

Referring to Figure of the drawings there is shown a furthermodification wherein the bumper is secured directly to a. leg 41 insteadof to the finger. Thus, a

4 core such as the core 38 is secured to the leg 41, an the sponge orgum rubber casing 39 is secured to the core 38, and the lower portion ofthe leg 41 may be inclined as at 42.

Referring to Figure 11 of the drawings, there is shown a stil furthermodification wherein a portion of the leg is indicated by the numeral43, and the leg 43 may be inclined or beveled as at 44. A finger 45depends from the leg 43, and the core 38 and yieldable casing 39 aresecured to the finger 45.

it is to be noted that in Figure 11 the angular cut 44 extends higher upthe leg 43 so as to increase the resiliency of the bumper.

I claim:

1. A trap for a game comprising a horizontally disposed base providedwith a central circular opening, the outer periphery of said base beingprovided with a plurality of angularly arranged fiat faces, there beinga plurality of cutouts in said base at the juncture of said fiat faces,a plurality of legs depending from said base and having their upper endssecured in said cutouts, there being a dovetail recess in the lower endof each of said legs, a-pointed prong having a tongue detachablyengaging said recess, an arm positioned directly in front of each ofsaid legs and secured to said legs, a resilient bumper secured to thelower end of each of said arms, hinge member secured to said base, adoor swingably mounted between each pair of legs and having a dowel pinon its upper end engaging said hinge members, lugs extending outwardlyfrom the sides of said doors for engagement with said legs to limitswinging movement of said doors in one direction, the bottom of saiddoors being of'greater thickness than the top.

2. A trap for a game comprising a base provided with a central opening,the outer periphery of said base being provided with a plurality ofangularly arranged flat faces,

there being a plurality of cutouts in said base, a plurality of legsdepending from said base and having their upper ends secured in saidcutouts, there being a recess in the lower end of each of said le s, apointed prong having a tongue detachably engaging said recess, an armpositioned in front of each of said legs and secured to said legs, aresilient bumper secured to the lower end of each of said arms, hingemembers secured to said base, door swingably mounted between each pairof legs and having a pin on its upper end engaging said hinge members,lugs extending from the sides of said doors for engagement with saidlegs to limit the swinging movement of said doors in one direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,112,075 Lush Sept. 29, 1914 1,208,838 Rolfe Dec. 19, 1916 2,266,337Seigenberg Dec. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,471 Great Britain 1891 22,584Great Britain 1914

